Stern-frame and rudder for vessels



(No Model.)

' J. R. OLDHAM. y, I STERN FRAME AND RUBBER FOR VESSELS. N0. 551,599.

Patented Dec. 17, 1895,

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ANDRIW RGRAHAM, PHOTOUHRWASHINGTOMDL.

NITED TATES ATENT OFFICE.

STERN-FRAME AND RUDDER FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 551,599, dated December17, 1895.

Application iiled March 23, 1895.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH R. OLDHAM, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sterns,Stern-Frames, and Rudders for Vessels; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the sterns, stern-frames andrudders of ships of all kinds; and its object is, first, in filling ornearly filling in the space usually left between the upper part of thescrew-propeller and the under side of center buttock-line or bottom ofcounter, but leaving sufficient space for the propeller to revolvefreely; second, in providing an improved construction of stern-frame bywhich the rudder may be suspended by two pintles, and thus rendered moreefficient in use; third, in providing a ship with a balanced rudder.

The above-named objects are accomplished as follows: The filling in ofthe vacant space above the propeller is formed by turning the inner orscrew post aft at a much lower water-line than is now common,the apex ofthe 'stern-frame in the propeller-aperture not being higher thanone-twelfth of the diameter of the screw above the highest point reachedby the propeller-blades. The top of this stern-frame may be continuedaft horizontally, ellptically or semicircularly to the after portion, atthe lower end of which a solid gudgeon is forged or riveted on of theproper form and dimensions to receive the upper rudderepintle. To alterthe sterns of existing vessels, the top of the stern-frame may be madeby a iilling-piece between the forward and after portions and betweenthe top of the aperture (as commonly formed) down to the bottom of theafter portion where I locate it, such filling-pieces being securelyheldin their proper positions by scarfing or by strong shell-plates. Thegudgeon is then riveted on. The rudder-stock is continued down in astraight orv inclined line to about the load water-line, when therudder-blade Serial No. 542,959. (No model.)

is projected forward sufficiently to secure the required surface forbalancing, the forward end of the rudder thus being continued down tothe shoe or heel pintle in a vertical or curved line, but with roundedcorners, the foremost part of the rudder not being farther fromthepropeller than one-twelfth of its diameter, and being close to thestern-post in side-Wheelers, twin-screw, sailing or towing vessels.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of ascrew-propeller vessel constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 isa horizontal section on the line a:

Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar section on the line Iy y. Fig. 4 is asimilar section on the line z z. Fig. 5 is a vertical horizontal sectionof the lower part of the rudder.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates the hull of thevessel and 2 the stern-frame, oomprisin g the inner or lower forwardportion 3, the horizontal connection, the rear upper portion et, and theshoe 5, all of which are made of a single piece or forging.

The dotted lines show the line of the stern of ordinary vessels, whichwould leave a very large space above the propeller, but which is iilledin by my invention.

The numeral 6 designates the propeller.

The numeral 7 designates lthe rudder, preferably made of a single plate,having curved aft portion 8 and a curved extension 9.

The numeral 10 designates the hollow rudder-stock, the lower end ofwhich is iiattened and bolted or riveted to the upper portion of theblade 8.

The numeral 12 designates strengthening or stiffening bars riveted orbolted to the rudder at any points found desirable.

The numeral 14 designates a forging or casting secured to the rudder andformed with inclined lugs 15, which engage with the lower part of therear upper portion of the stern-frame. These lugs serve as stops tolimit the movement of the rudder. The lower end of the rear upperportion of the sternframe is provided with a gudgeon 16, in which isjournaled a pintle 17 welded or riveted to the upper end of the blade orextension 9 of IOO connection formed with a gudgeon, of the rudderhaving a forward extension, the pintles, the rudder-stock, the stopCasting or forging having inclined lugs, the band embracing the upperpintle, and secured to the rudder, and the rudder-stock; substantiallyas described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereuntoaffixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH R. OLDIIAM. Witnesses GEORGE B. MARTY, S. II. HOLDING.

